U.S. patent application number 10/108772 was filed with the patent office on 2002-10-24 for press and vibration severity die certification system.
Invention is credited to Schoch, Daniel A..
Application Number | 20020152782 10/108772 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26806249 |
Filed Date | 2002-10-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020152782 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schoch, Daniel A. |
October 24, 2002 |
Press and vibration severity die certification system
Abstract
A press die certification system for certifying a press die
including a vibration severity monitor operationally connected to
the press die to be certified, the monitor creating output
containing vibration severity data and press run speed data.
Software is utilized for creating a die certificate and die
certificate data, calculated on monitor output data obtained from
data memory and from press setup information.
Inventors: |
Schoch, Daniel A.; (Minster,
OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RANDALL J. KNUTH, P.C.
3510-A Stellhorn Road
Fort Wayne
IN
46815-4631
US
|
Family ID: |
26806249 |
Appl. No.: |
10/108772 |
Filed: |
March 28, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60280000 |
Mar 30, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
72/31.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B21C 51/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
72/31.01 |
International
Class: |
B21C 051/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A press die certification system for certifying a press die,
said system comprising: a vibration severity monitor operationally
connected to the press die to be certified, said monitor creating
output containing vibration severity data and press run speed data;
a data input means for entering press setup information; a press
die data memory means for saving said monitor output; and software
means for creating a die certificate and die certificate data
calculated on said monitor output data obtained from data memory
means and from said press setup information.
2. The system of claim 1 in which said press die data memory means
is tamper resistant.
3. The system of claim 1 in which said software means outputs die
certificate data to said press die data memory means.
4. The system of claim 1 in which said press die data memory means
is tamper evident.
5. The system of claim 1 in which said vibration severity data and
press run speed data is time stamped on its saving into said memory
means.
6. The system of claim 1 in which said press setup information
includes at least one of press type, stock feed material thickness,
stock feed material type, die operating shutheight, and die kiss
block clearance at press bottom dead center slide settings.
7. The system of claim 1 in which said data input means permits an
operator to enter at least one die condition for which die
certification is sought, said software determining if the die for
certifying would operate at such condition and then communicating
success or failure of certification at such die condition.
8. The system of claim 7 in which said vibration severity data and
press run speed data is time stamped on its saving into said memory
means.
9. The system of claim 7 in which said press setup information
includes at least one of press type, stock feed material thickness,
stock feed material type, die operating shutheight, and die kiss
block clearance at press bottom dead center slide settings.
10. A press die certification method comprising the steps of:
operating a press die at various speeds and conditions and thereby
creating press die performance data; saving said created press die
performance data to a memory means; transferring said saved press
die performance data to the certification software; inputting at
least one of die setup and press run condition data into the
certification software; creating a press die certification document
through the use of certification software utilizing the saved press
die performance data and inputted data.
11. The method of claim 10 further comprising saving the press run
condition data to said memory means.
12. The method of claim 10 in which said saving step includes time
stamping said press run condition data on its saving into said
memory means.
13. The method of claim 10 in which said saving step includes time
stamping said vibration severity data and said press run speed data
on its saving into said memory means.
14. The method of claim 11 in which said saving step includes time
stamping said vibration severity data and said press run speed data
on its saving into said memory means.
15. The method of claim 10 in which said press die performance data
includes selected die performance criteria measured versus press
speed or selected die performance criteria versus time.
16. A press die certification system for certifying a press die,
said system comprising: a press die performance monitor
operationally connected to the press die to be certified, said
monitor creating output containing press die performance data and
press run speed data; data input means for entering press setup
information; a press die data memory means for saving press die
performance data, press setup information and time stamp
information, said data memory means accepting input from said press
die performance monitor and said data input means; software means
for creating a die certification document and die certification
data based on data obtained from data memory means and data input
means and comparison of performance level to pre-determined
acceptable/non-acceptab- le performance criteria levels.
17. The system of claim 16 in which said press die data memory
means also saves die certification data from said software
means.
18. The system of claim 16 in which said press die data memory
means is tamper resistant to prevent data alteration.
19. The system of claim 16 in which said press die performance data
and press run speed data is time stamped on its saving into said
memory means.
20. The system of claim 16 in which said performance criteria
levels include at least one of: vibration severity zone levels,
tipping moment severity zone levels, load severity levels,
historical vibration severity versus time accumulation levels, and
variations in press bottom dead center measurement.
21. A press certification system for certifying a press, said
system comprising: a press performance monitor operationally
connected to the press to be certified, said monitor creating
output containing press performance data and press run speed data;
data input means for entering press setup information; a press data
memory means for saving press performance data, press setup
information and time stamp information, said data memory means
accepting input from said press performance monitor and said data
input means; software means for creating a press certification
document and press certification data based on data obtained from
data memory means and data input means and comparison of
performance level to pre-determined acceptable/non-acceptable
performance criteria levels.
22. A machine certification system for certifying a machine, said
system comprising: a machine performance monitor operationally
connected to the machine to be certified, said monitor creating
output containing machine performance data and machine run speed
data; data input means for entering machine setup information; a
machine data memory means for saving machine performance data,
machine setup information and time stamp information, said data
memory means accepting input from said machine performance monitor
and said data input means; software means for creating a machine
certification document and machine certification data based on data
obtained from data memory means and data input means and comparison
of performance level to pre-determined acceptable/non-acceptab- le
performance criteria levels.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a press monitoring system
or press die monitoring system and more particularly, a press die
monitoring system that uses vibration severity or other monitored
press or press die performance data to enable a die manufacturer or
a press manufacturer to certify via a certificate, the press or
press die performance to an end user.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Presently, press manufacturers and operators have a need to
understand how their press machines and associated press dies, used
in stamping and drawing operations, will operate in a production
environment.
[0005] Periodic visits by the tool, die, or machine manufacturer
are not sufficient to gain information on how the press machine or
die is operating on a daily basis. Furthermore, it would be
beneficial to obtain detailed information how a press and/or press
die would operate prior to use in the field. There is a concern and
use for further information on the intended use of the die, tool,
press or machine by the customer and manufacturer for other
reasons.
[0006] Excessive warranty repair is sometimes developed on misuse
of such machines. It would be beneficial to identify proper use of
such machines, furthermore identifying potential problems before
they lead to an effect on production efficiencies.
[0007] What is needed in the art, is a machine certification system
that would certify either one or both press or press die, thereby
certifying consistent, approved and recommended use, or limitations
of use of the press or press die or machine in a production
setting.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention provides a system and method of
certifying a machine, such as a press or press die used for
stamping or drawing operations. The certification system monitors
functions and parameters of the press or press die separate from
the actual press controls, therefore the system may be adapted to
presses for many different manufacturers. The present invention
incorporates a philosophy of monitoring the press and press die and
controlling the data thereby developed so as not to tie into the
machine operation either mechanically or electrically. Therefore,
the present system does not disturb the machine setup or machine
control. The system may utilize different press control outputs
such as press run speed, load levels, tipping moments, vibration
severity zones, and variations in press bottom dead center slide
measurement.
[0009] The present invention utilizes, in one aspect, vibration
severity information from a test run setup of the die to be
certified in a tryout press, with date stamped information sent to
a die certification system logger (non volatile electronic
memory).
[0010] A software system then utilizes the data saved within the
system logger to determine whether a vibration severity certificate
may be issued for such press or press die based on other inputted
requirements. Other certificates may be created dependant on
operator input and end user requirements.
[0011] One advantage of the present invention is that it
incorporates a plurality of monitoring criteria, which may be user
selectable.
[0012] Another advantage of the present invention is that it may
permit variable data logging schemes to be utilized depending upon
an operator command. This includes the ability to reconfigure data
logging dependent on particular time periods, selectable alarms, or
other different parameters as shown in a software configuration
file.
[0013] The invention, in one form thereof, provides a press die
certification system for certifying a press die, said system
comprising of a vibration severity monitor operationally connected
to the press die to be certified, said monitor creating output
containing vibration severity data and press run speed data. A data
input means is utilized for entering press setup information. A
press die data memory means is utilized for saving said monitor
output. A software means is utilized for creating a die certificate
and die certificate data calculated on said monitor output data
obtained from data memory means and from said press setup
information.
[0014] The invention, in another form thereof, comprises a press
die certification method including the steps of: operating a press
die at various speeds and conditions and thereby creating press die
performance data; saving said created press performance die data;
transferring said saved press die performance data to the
certification software; inputting at least one of die setup and
press run condition data into the certification software; creating
a press die certification document through the use of certification
software utilizing the saved press die performance data and
inputted data.
[0015] The invention, in anther form thereof, comprises a press die
certification system for certifying a press die, said system
comprising: a press die performance monitor operationally connected
to the press die to be certified, said monitor creating output
containing press die performance data and press run speed data;
data input means for entering press setup information; a press die
data memory means for saving press die performance data, press
setup information and time stamp information, said data memory
means accepting input from said press die performance monitor and
said data input means; and software means for creating a die
certification document and die certification data based on data
obtained from data memory means and data input means and comparison
of performance level to pre-determined acceptable/non-acceptable
performance criteria levels.
[0016] The invention, in yet another form therefore, comprises a
press certification system for certifying a press, said system
comprising: a press performance monitor operationally connected to
the press to be certified, said monitor creating output containing
press performance data and press run speed data; data input means
for entering press setup information; a press data memory means for
saving press performance data, press setup information and time
stamp information, said data memory means accepting input from said
press performance monitor and said data input means; software means
for creating a pressd certification document and press
certification data based on data obtained from data memory means
and data input means and comparison of performance level to
pre-determined acceptable/non-acceptable performance criteria
levels. In a broader alternative, the system could be coupled to
almost any machine with aspects to be monitored, saved, verified
and certified.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of
this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more
apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference
to the following description of an embodiment of the invention
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a functional flowchart of one form of the present
invention.
[0019] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out
herein illustrates one preferred embodiment of the invention, in
one form, and such exemplification is not to be construed as
limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] One limited embodiment shown in FIG. 1, discloses the
functionality and hardware apparatus of the present invention. The
embodiment disclosed in FIG. 1 may be utilized, in its preferred
form of that of a press die certification system. Alternate
utilization of the technology measurement system, memory, and
software may be for certifying a mechanical device such as a
machine press. Other machine devices may be similarly certified in
similar fashion.
[0021] The die certification system as shown uses a die
certification monitor, and particularly in one form of a vibration
severity monitor which identifies the vibration level of the tool
(die) that is being run in a tryout press. Associated with that
data is data from the running of the press; the data is transferred
and saved into a tamper resistant or tamper evident electronic
logger. The system then during the die tryout period is logs (saves
to memory) data into the die certification system logger. Other
data from such as in situ die measurement, press tool, or press
performance monitor operationally connected to the press or press
die may forward other performance data to the system logger. Such
information may include press die performance data, press run speed
data, vibration severity zone levels, tipping moment severity zone
levels, load severity, historical vibration severity versus time
accumulation levels and variations in press or machine bottom dead
center slide or other measurements, along with other particular
variables that may end up ultimately being needed to be certified
for the particular tool, die or press.
[0022] The die certification system logger may be a memory means,
such as an electronic memory device, for saving the data. The data
saved in the die certification system logger, or memory device, is
utilized in the die/press certification system software at a latter
time period. The software means, such as coded in any of known
computer languages for use in a microprocessor, is used for when
creating a die certification document and die certification data
based on the data obtained from the data memory means, i.e. the die
certification system logger, and data input means.
[0023] The present system software is preferably programmed through
a C++ object oriented language and operated on a IBM compatible,
personal computer, such as a 486 or PENTIUM based microprocessor.
Other types of electronic processors and computer languages may be
equivalently utilized. Standard programming and electronic
organizational procedures would enable one of ordinary skill to
develop the software to communicate between the hardware
utilized.
[0024] In the present invention, the processor may be that of a
hardened personal computer, such as a IBM compatible 486 or PENTIUM
based programmable computer. Additionally, such electronic
processor 20 may include hardware or software configured
programmable logic controllers (PLC's) and numerous other types of
electronic computation and processing equipment.
[0025] The system software is connected to a data input means which
may be useful for an operator to enter in press setup information
and other particular pieces of information necessary to be attached
to a certified die or placed into the certification document
created by the software. Such information may include a die number,
manufacturing tool source, customer for the tool or print
specifications. Other data available for entry into the software
could be utilization of stock feed material thickness, stock feed
material type, die operating shutheight, and die kiss block
clearance at bottom dead center slide settings.
[0026] The software will print out a die tool or press
certification document based on data obtained from the data memory
input means along with a comparison of a performance level to a
predetermined acceptable or non-acceptable performance criteria
level. Such predetermined acceptable or non-acceptable performance
criterial level may be entered via the data input means.
[0027] The press and/or die certification system of the present
invention allows a tool source (a maker of tools or dies for use in
a mechanical press) the ability to run the die in a tryout machine
and understand what the performance of the die is from a vibration
severity or other die performance data standard, or load other
requirements into the software and create a certificate to transmit
either on paper, award, or electronically to the end user of the
certified product (ie, die, tool, press or machine).
[0028] The present system may certify that a die, tool or press
utilized in a tryout situation or in a tryout machine, performed in
a particular manner, and that such die, tool or press will operate
in a reasonable performance or known performance based on
particular criteria such as vibration severity versus speed,
vibration severity change over time, tipping moments, permissible
load severity levels, and variations in bottom dead center
measurement, of the press and/or tool.
[0029] In the preferred form of the embodiment as shown in FIG. 1,
the system obtains a vibration severity measurement from a die on a
tryout press and sends it to a memory device which identifies logs
and compiles the information based on running of the tool, die or
press through particular speeds and loads. The system creates a
certificate which shows the performance of the die, tool or press
during the tryout and certifies that die, tool or press for a
customer would perform within required limits. The particular
limits useful in creating the certificate, or requested limits, may
be entered into the system certification software via the data
input means which may be a touch screen, keyboard, or other
electronic device for entering data into software or hardware.
[0030] Another aspect of the system is that the system software
useful in creating the die certificate also copies a date stamped
certification input back into the info logger to show that the
certification system has been run and certificate made for
particular inputs. The software which copies the data stamped
certification input back into the logger may include the data such
as die number, customer, customer number, setup conditions,
materials, material type, and other information to enable saving
not only of performance data but conditions and exact die
information that go along with the date stamped tryout information
originally saved.
[0031] One aspect of the invention, the die certification system
logger useful for dies, tools, and presses would be of a electronic
memory chip or other memory means which would be tamper resistant
or tamper evident such that the tool source or operators of a
system could not erase or change the data so saved therein. The
usefulness of this feature allows then the user licensee to
exchange or remove the certification system logger electronic
memory and forward it back to the die certification system
manufacturing company to verify the number of dies certified and to
track proper use of the certification system logger and system
software by creating an electronic interlock system between the die
certification monitor on the tryout press to the die certification
system logger, electronic changing or tampering of saved data or
creation of false data would be prevented.
[0032] The method of the system utilizes software and saved memory
to create a certificate which could be required from a end user of
the tool, die or press for particular operational needs. The system
eliminates the possibility, via a secure manner, of different tool,
die and press providers pointing to other vendors equipment as
sources of problems. Typically such end users utilize more than one
press manufacturer, tool source, or die source. When a problem
develops in one or more subsystems in the end users manufacturing
stream, such subsystem manufacturers typically blame the other
subsystems and the system.
[0033] The certification system of the present invention or its
parallel use in a press or other machine creates the ability such
that when the machine, tool, die, or press has been certified, with
a certificate created, such guaranteed usefulness of the machine
under the given conditions is assured.
[0034] In the present envision of the system, the certificate as
shown in FIG. 1 shows that vibration severity was certified on a
particular die with particular known running conditions versus
vibration severity versus the press speed (strokes per minute) and
the vibration severity change over length of time. Such
requirements for the certificate may be entered via the data input
means and printed on the certificate while the system software
confirms that the data logger includes such data that would assure
meeting such operational requirements of the end user.
[0035] The system utilizes date stamped information since such use
ties the data to actual die conditions. The logger during operation
grabs and saves the performance data. All the conditions of
operation are loaded in the certification software when they are
creating the certificate. By taking all such alphanumeric
information and transmitting and saving a copy of it to the logger,
operator compliance, and the ability to backtrack and recreate the
reasons for certification and how the die, tools, or presses were
utilized for initial data gathering may be observed.
[0036] Although in FIG. 1 the die certification system is shown
connected to the die certification system logger, the certification
system logger may be a separate independent memory element which
may be transferred from a location near the die, tool source, or
press, and then moved into communication with the system software
via wireless, floppy disk, or other method or transport mechanism
for movement of data.
[0037] While this invention has been described as having a
preferred design, the present invention can be further modified
within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is
therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of
the invention using its general principles. Further, this
application is intended to cover such departures from the present
disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to
which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of
the appended claims.
* * * * *